Caravanserai

Russia's new migrant registration rules alarm human rights defenders

Caravanserai

BISHKEK -- Russia's Federal Migration Service toughened the rules for migrants staying in the country, many of whom already face racism and extortion, 24.kg reported Friday (July 6).

Employers will no longer be able to register migrants at the employers' legal addresses. Instead, migrants will have to register at their place of residence, according to the agency.

Apartment owners in Moscow city and Moscow Province also will not be able to temporarily register foreign citizens.

Punishment for violating migration laws in Russia ranges from fines to deportation.

The new rules will put migrants in a difficult situation, said human rights activist Valentina Chupik.

"From now on, it will be impossible to register at the address of a [company], unless this [company] itself provides housing in which migrants will live. But businesses do not have housing," she said.

About 650,000 Kyrgyz citizens are working in Russia, according to official data.

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